pH Sensor With Polymerase Complex For Localized Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological or chemical research protocols face challenges in efficiently detecting and analyzing controlled reactions, particularly in generating accurate pH changes for sensing systems, as existing methods lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity in detecting localized pH alterations near conductive channels.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system comprising a pH sensor with a conductive channel and a complex attached to it, where the complex includes a polymerase linked to a pH-altering moiety such as an enzyme, metal coordination complex, or co-factor, which generates a pH change upon consumption of a secondary substrate, allowing for localized and sensitive detection of pH changes using electrodes and conductive channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing pH detection methods are used, then the system can detect pH changes, but the sensitivity and specificity for localized pH alterations near conductive channels are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent attaches pH-altering moieties (enzymes, metal coordination complexes, or co-factors) directly to the conductive channel surface, creating localized pH-modifying zones. This ensures that pH changes occur precisely where detection is needed, enhancing both sensitivity and spatial resolution for detecting localized pH alterations near the conductive channel.
2Measurement precision
If pH change kinetics are coupled with nucleotide incorporation kinetics, then the detection system is simpler, but the accuracy and resolution of sequencing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the pH-altering function from the nucleotide incorporation function by using distinct molecular components. The pH-altering moiety (such as an enzyme like urease or a metal coordination complex) is attached independently to the conductive channel, while nucleotide incorporation occurs separately. This decoupling allows independent optimization of each process, improving sequencing accuracy without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a secondary substrate as an intermediary molecule that reacts with the pH-altering moiety to generate pH changes. This secondary substrate acts as a mediator between the nucleotide incorporation event and the pH detection, allowing the system to translate biochemical events into detectable electrical signals with high precision while maintaining system manageability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables precise detection of pH changes near the conductive channel, enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of reaction analysis, allowing for efficient single molecule and ensemble nucleic acid sequencing by decoupling pH change kinetics from nucleotide incorporation kinetics.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one pH altering moiety is the enzyme, and wherein the enzyme generates an acid or a base in a reaction with the secondary substrate
Implementation Method 2
the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of hydrolases and oxidases
Implementation Method 3
a pH sensor, including two electrodes and a conductive channel operatively connected to the two electrodes
Implementation Method 4
a polymerase linked to at least one pH altering moiety that is to participate in generating a pH change within proximity of the conductive channel from consumption of a secondary substrate
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a sensing system includes a pH sensor. The pH sensor includes two electrodes and a conductive channel operatively connected to the two electrodes. A complex is attached to the conductive channel of the pH sensor. The complex includes a polymerase linked to at least one pH altering moiety that is to participate in generating a pH change within proximity of the conductive channel from consumption of a secondary substrate in a fluid that is exposed to the pH sensor. The at least one pH altering moiety is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a metal coordination complex, a co-factor, and an activator.